New Haven Man Sentenced To More Than Nine Years In Federal Prison For Distributing Crack Cocaine

Deirdre M. Daly, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that FREDRICK COX, SR., also known as “Bama-Lama,” 43, of New Haven, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 115 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).

COX is one of more than 100 individuals charged as a result of “Operation Bloodline,” a joint law enforcement investigation targeting narcotics trafficking and gang violence in the Dwight-Kensington and Fair Haven sections of New Haven. Led by the DEA New Haven Task Force and the New Haven and Hamden Police Departments, the year-long investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on numerous telephones, extensive physical surveillance, controlled purchases of narcotics, execution of search warrants, and seizures of narcotics and firearms. The investigation revealed that COX conspired with others to distribute crack cocaine.

On April 17, 2013, COX pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base.

COX has sustained at least 11 prior felony convictions and, since September 12, 2011, he has been serving an unrelated five-year state sentence. Judge Burns imposed the 115-month federal sentence to run consecutively to COX’s state sentence.

This matter is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Haven Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, North Haven, Branford, Ansonia and Meriden Police Departments. The U.S. Marshals Service, the Connecticut State Police, the Connecticut Department of Correction, Parole and Community Services and the Milford, Hartford, New Britain, North Branford and Stratford Police Departments have provided valuable assistance to the investigation.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys S. Dave Vatti and Marc Silverman.